CANVAS
College Autism Network Virtual Association of ScholarsThe College Autism Network Virtual Association of Scholars (CANVAS) invites individuals from around the world, who conduct research on and/or work with postsecondary students with autism, to communicate and collaborate with one another. Established in February 2018, CANVAS extends the work of the College Autism Network to a global level, welcoming faculty, researchers, student affairs practitioners, students, and others to capitalize on their talents and work toward making college more accessible, inclusive, and rewarding for students with autism.
To join a live meeting, please email Brett Nachman (bnachman@wisc.edu) or join the CANVAS listserv to get detailed reminders about upcoming meetings.
Upcoming Meetings & Presenters
2021
- Thurs, Jan 14 at 2pm ET: Presented by Courtney Butler (Program Coordinator, College Support Program; Rutgers University) – An Individualized Approach to Teaching Adults with Autism to Successfully Navigate Job Interviews via Remote Instruction
- Thurs, Feb 11 at 2pm ET: Presented by Dr. Laura Graham Holmes (Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate; Boston University) & Dr. Emily Rothman (Professor, Community Health Sciences; Boston University) – Using Formative Research to Develop HEARTS: A Healthy Relationships Promoting Intervention for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum
- Thurs, March 11 at 6pm ET: Presented by Dr. Craig Thompson (Curtin University) & Dr. Melissa Black (Curtin University) – Autistic Adults’ Success Factors for Employment and Beyond
- Thurs, April 22 at 12pm ET: Presented by Dr. Jess Monahan (Research Manager, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware) and Dr. Brian Freedman (Associate Director, Center for Students with Disabilities & Director, Spectrum Scholars; University of Delaware) – Social Skills Interventions for Young Adults: Fitting into a Neurotypical World?
- Thurs, May 20 at 2pm ET: Presented by Dr. Hyejung Kim (Assistant Professor, Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership; Binghamton University) – Getting Ready for College: The Intersections of Neurodiversity and Other Sites of Differences
Past Meeting Minutes & Author Presentations
2020
November
- Cheryl Widman (University of Illinois at Chicago) discussed “Understanding Parent Participation in the Postsecondary Education of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
October
- Julie Lounds Taylor (Vanderbilt University) discussed serving as an editor of the Autism journal: “Pulling back the curtain: tips from the editorial desk.”
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
September
- Jonathan Vincent (York St. John University) discussed “Transitions from higher education for autistic students and graduates: qualitative insights from the UK context“
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
August
- Eilidh Cage (University of Stirling) and Jack Howes (Autistic Writer and Fundraiser) discussed “Dropping out: Understanding the university experiences of autistic students who could not complete their studies.”
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
July
- Alexandra Sturm (Loyola Marymount University) discussed her recently-published journal article: “Academic and Psychosocial Characteristics of Incoming College Freshmen with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Comorbidity and Gender”
May
- Presenter: Ryan A. Miller (University of North Carolina-Charlotte)
- Topical Focus: Emerging research on the experiences of autistic LGBTQ college students
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
April
- Presenter: Sean LaRoque (Mansfield Hall)
- Topical Focus: Measuring autistic college students’ journeys to adulthood using the Pathway to Independence Inventory: Development, results and lessons learned at Mansfield Hall – a residential college support program for students with learning differences.
- Meeting Minutes
March
- Presenters: Jodi Duke and Grace Francis (George Mason University)
- Topical Focus: Research on autistic college students and co-occurring mental health disorder; discussions on the impact of needs and coping strategies.
- Meeting Minutes
February
- Featured Presenter: Amy Radochonski (College Living Experience)
- Topical Focus: “Crosswalks” between postsecondary education institutions and independent autism programs
- Meeting Minutes
- Recorded Presentation Video
January
- Featured presenter: Brad Cox (Florida State University | College Autism Network)
- Meeting Minutes
2019
November
- Meeting Minutes
- Featured presenter: Stephen Shore (Adelphi University)
October
- Meeting Minutes
- Featured presenter: Kimberly Ha (Organization for Autism Research)
September
- Meeting Minutes
- Featured presenter: Fred Volkmar (Yale University | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)
August
- Meeting Minutes
- Featured presenter: Valérie Van Hees (Artevelde University College Ghent)
July
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Anastasia Anderson (Macquarie University)
May
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Kirsten Brown (Edgewood College)
- Article: Unwanted Sexual Contact
- Article: Omission and Othering
April
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Sasha Zeedyk and Yasamine Bolourian (University of California-Riverside)
March
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Jiedi Li (University of Bath)
February
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Solvegi Shmulsky (Landmark College)
January
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Theo Bakker (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
2018
November
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Nicholas Gelbar
- Article: Gelbar, N. W., Shefyck, A., & Reichow, B. (2015). A comprehensive survey of current and former college students with autism spectrum disorders. The Yale journal of biology and medicine, 88(1), 45-68.
October
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Jennifer Yu and Xin We
- Article: Wei, X., Yu, J. W., Shattuck, P., & Blackorby, J. (2017). High school math and science preparation and postsecondary STEM participation for students with an autism spectrum disorder. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 32(2), 83-92
September
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Amy Accardo
- Article: Accardo, A. L., Kuder, S. J., & Woodruff, J. (2018 Online First). Accommodations and support services preferred by college students with autism spectrum disorder. Autism
August
- Meeting Minutes
- Presentation by Monique N. Colclough
- Article: Colclough, M. N. (2017). Exploring the social experiences of college students who have Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Student Affairs, 26, 21-3
Ways to become involved:
- Check out the minutes, presentations, and articles from previous monthly meetings (see links on this page).
- Click here to sign up for our autism/higher ed list serv (here where we share news articles, research, events, and other content related to college students with autism). Click “join group” to start receiving emails.
- Once you’ve joined the listserv, you can share articles, presentations, and other news by sending an email to: can-canvas@collegeautismnetwork.org
- Contact Brett Ranon Nachman (bnachman@wisc.edu) to get updates about upcoming CANVAS meetings.
- Visit our CANVAS Google Drive (here we share our meeting agendas, minutes, and other CANVAS content; you can even post a profile about yourself and your work)
- Participate in a CANVAS Working Group based on your particular interests.
Collaborating on Research, Conducting Multi-site Studies, and/or Exploring Grants- Contact Amy Accardo (accardo@rowan.edu) and Kristen Gillespie-Lynch (kristen.gillespie@csi.cuny.edu)
Questions about CANVAS?
- Contact Brett Ranon Nachman (bnachman@wisc.edu)